Upside Down and Backwards

 by Macy Johnson

“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me

is not worthy of me.”

(Matthew 10:38 NIV)

 

“I cannot get these sway bars off the brackets!” my husband exclaimed. We just arrived at home with our new camper trailer. Jeff and I had previously viewed many nightmarish scenes on YouTube of RV failures and installations gone wrong. Here we were, experiencing our first.

 

My husband took a picture of the contraption and texted it to the dealer. “Bring the camper back,” she said. “The brackets were installed upside down and backwards!” How is that possible? It is a miracle we made it home safely. A return trip to the dealership was in our near future.

 

God gave us instructions for life in His Word and confirms them through the Holy Spirit living in our hearts and souls. How many times have I tried to turn His truth upside down and backwards as I rushed through a task and ignored His instructions? I think I know it all, an expert on everything.

 

Jeff and I contemplated what went wrong. The technician most likely didn’t read the directions or watch a YouTube video on how to properly install the bracket and sway bars. We had to laugh, or we would cry. I immediately determined to read all instruction books in the pouch of manuals we received with our new camper, which we named the Johnson Playhouse.

 

There is a cost to follow Jesus and consequences if I don’t. I must obey His rules for living, not wing it on my own. If I take my eyes off my Savior, I will end up in a ditch, attached to something dangerous, and headed in the wrong direction.

 

I will follow Jesus so I will not end up upside down and backwards. I hope you will, too!